Human resources and labor relations

European-wide information and consultation initiatives in the increase

Article Abstract:

Several UK companies are setting up pan-Europe consultation initiatives to meet the European Work Councils (EWC) Directive, which is to be implemented in Sep 1996. Some of the key issues that are being raised in the wake of these initiatives are trade union involvement, women's participation and dissemination, language and training. An evaluation of ten newly established initiatives indicates that management initiated work councils are seen by trade unions as token organizations which will not be effective. Divisional EWCs covering individual departments are seen as essential to meet the goals of the EWC Directive.

Information and control: a survey of computerised personnel systems

Article Abstract:

Organizations use computerized personnel in a variety of ways, according to a survey of 100 UK employers who employ over 300,000 people. Many use separate databases for payroll and employee records, although these systems often share data. Personnel planning and controlling costs are among the reason cited for these types of systems. Typically, computerized data concerns pay rates, ethnic and gender information, hours, and attendance; over 75% monitor sick days on their systems. In some organizations, employee health, performance, and qualifications records are also computerized.

Forging a European consultation forum: British Steel's EWC

Article Abstract:

British Steel's European Works Council (EWC) met for the first time in Nov 1996, following months of preparation and negotiations with its unions. The EWC will consult on the company's operations, business plans, economic performance, safety issues and other employee-related areas. Twenty-nine delegates were selected to represent 55,000 employees working in British Steel groups throughout Europe. The pre-meeting groundwork, initial meeting agenda, and follow-up are also described.